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Reds, Cubs pause to remember 9/11

Reds, Cubs pause to remember 9/11

9/11/13: Cincinnati firefighter John Winfrey sings God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch at Great American Ball Park

By Mark Sheldon
/
MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- Along with the rest of Major League Baseball, the Reds and Cubs paused on Wednesday to remember the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.

As Cincinnati held its second police and fire appreciation day of the season, a steel beam from the World Trade Center was on display in the fan zone, courtesy of the Cincinnati Fire Museum, and more than 20 soldiers from the 10th Battalion of the Army Reserve Careers Division were on the field to reenlist in the service.

Honor guards from the Henry County (Ind.) Sheriff's Office and Indianapolis Fire Department presented the nation's colors, while military police officer Jeff Whitacre sang the national anthem. The game ball was delivered by Senior Master Sgt. Alan Johnson -- an 18-year veteran of the Kenton County (Ky.) Police Department -- and the game's honorary captain was Maj. Charmaine McGuffey, a 28-year veteran of the Hamilton County (Ohio) Sheriff's Department.

Both teams wore American flags on the sides of their caps during the game, and special lineup cards were also used.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.